Really annoying placement of function key in W3V

Hi Everybody,

Apart, from the bright green pixel, I like my new Asus W3V. There is one thing though that really blows my mind, and I can't really understand why notebook manufacturers do this. I'm referring to the placement of the "fn" key where the control key should be! This drives me crazy as I use the control key just about every 10 seconds and now I always end up pressing the function key instead. It's not just a matter of getting used to the new placement. This placement of the control key makes its use a lot more uncomfortable and cramped.

Does anyone know of a way to effectively swap the two keys so that the control key is activated when the function one is pressed and vice versa?

Thanks!

 

Where's the CTRL key located?

 

Usually (on desktops computers), the CTRL key is the one on the bottom left hand side. With the W3V, and many other laptops, the "Fn" key takes this place, and the control key is shifted one key to the right (so it's stuck between the "Fn" and the "windows" key).

 

Yeh, I think it's really stupid how they do that, I mean, honestly, WHO uses FN? (No body answer that question)

 

Oh.. hmm That won't bother me. But for you.. i wonder if there is a way to change it.

i only use the CTRL key to copy and paste and i only use the FN key when my laptop screen wont turn on

 

Even if I only used CTRL for copy and paste, that's still a lot more than I use the FN key. But I also use the CTRL key for select al (CTRL-A), go to address bar of web browser (CTRL-L), skipping whole words while editing (CTLR-direction arrows), printing (CTRL-P), open document (CTRL-O), to name a few

 

... it's like that on every Asus notebook and their keyboards are made by like one of only a few companies who make keyboards....... The Fn key does serve a pretty good purpose and I know a lot of people who do use it a lot (I'm not one of them, but still).... but you'll get used it...... just like anything else, you basically have to get used to a notebook keyboard if you're coming from a desktop and after a few weeks you'll never question it again.... it's just a matter of retraining yourself to it..... desktop keyboards have their own function buttons so obviously no need to share them with the number keys..... and therefore no need for a seperate Fn key for them.

 

I understand that I'll get used to it, but it's still not as comfortable. I just don't understand why they would move the CTRL key. I know that the function key is useful, but not in the same sense that the CTRL key is. The FN key is used for things like changing the brightness of the screen, volume control, and accessing other special laptop features. It's not something that you'll be using 100 times while you edit a document. Hence my puzzlement...

 

I got used to it, its not that bad

Ask the engineers

 

Thinkpad keyboards have the function key in the same position and they have a reputation of being the best.

You'll get used to it, maybe try like 5-10 min of hitting only those ctrl shortcuts.

 

Its always annoyed me a little bit too, and I never could get 100% comfortable with it simply because every day that I work, I use a desktop keyboard. The drawback of getting used to the Fn key placement is that when you use a normal keyboard, it will seem backwards all over again...

 

I've had the same annoyance with my Z70Va. After a fair amount of googling, I've come to the conclusion that they cannot be switched without a BIOS change at minimum, and perhaps even a more invasive hardware change. The Fn key is the only key whose keycode is not transmitted to the OS when it is pressed. Hence, although it's possible to remap most or all of the other keys, there's no realistic hope for this one without Asus either changing the BIOS or perhaps even a more radical hardware change.

If I'm wrong, someone please post the solution as a sticky and you will win the award for post of the year!

 

I can see how it would annoy people... it did annoy me at first...but I'm so used to it now, that I can't go back to a desktop keyboard; I don't reach far enough to press Ctrl on a regular keyboard anymore.

 

i think there was a way through registry to change the FN key into a control key.. in windows.. i changed my caps lock key to a shift key.

 

I'm pretty sure you can use the registry to change almost every key except the Fn key since Windows never sees the Fn key when it's pressed by itself. It has something to do with the way the BIOS and/or the hardware treats the Fn key. I hope I'm wrong, but I fear that I'm correct.